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New regulation for heating oil market, but no price controls
Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald says heating oil suppliers will face tighter regulation, following a UK Competition and Markets Authority inquiry. The measures aim to strengthen consumer protection, help vulnerable households and improve dispute resolution, but will not introduce price controls.
Suppliers will have to follow a mandatory code of conduct, while the Consumer Council will take a larger role in resolving disputes and creating an opt-in register for vulnerable consumers. Around two thirds of Northern Ireland households use heating oil. Prices there rose by a record 92% in one month at the start of the Iran conflict, compared with a previous peak of 59% in March 2022; the CMA said the latest surge largely reflected higher wholesale costs and warned price controls could be counterproductive.
In short
- Heating oil suppliers in Northern Ireland will face a mandatory conduct code.
- The Consumer Council will help resolve disputes and identify vulnerable consumers.
- The CMA rejected price controls despite a record 92% monthly price rise.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tighter rules could give households clearer standards, a stronger route to resolve disputes and extra support when they are most vulnerable. With heating oil serving around two thirds of Northern Ireland households and prices capable of sharp rises, a mandatory code and consumer register may improve accountability without risking supply or discouraging competition through price caps.
The case against
The measures may add limited protection if households remain exposed to extreme price rises and suppliers face no limits on what they charge. A voluntary register may also miss vulnerable people who do not opt in, while relying on codes and dispute resolution could leave consumers with little immediate help when wholesale cost increases make heating unaffordable.